Facility problems disrupt student learning |
School facility problems caused an estimated 2m students to miss approximately 3.5m days of learning during the 2024-25 school year, according to a new Government Accountability Office report. One in five districts canceled classes because of issues including plumbing emergencies and extreme temperatures, while nearly half experienced facility problems that disrupted learning in some way. The GAO estimates that 14% of U.S. schools are in poor or very poor condition, while roughly one-third are in fair condition and will require repairs within five years. Flooding and water intrusion were the most commonly reported chronic problems, affecting 22% of districts, followed by excessive classroom heat or cold at 21%. The report also identified plumbing, ventilation, structural, accessibility, fire safety, and building code issues, with one district reporting classroom temperatures as high as 110 degrees. More than half of district leaders said their facility budgets are insufficient, and 16% of districts have no plans to address major systems, such as HVAC or plumbing, in at least one existing school. Leaders cited high construction costs, inadequate state funding, and limited federal and state financing opportunities as major obstacles. The GAO found that districts with less capacity for preventive maintenance experienced more chronic building problems and learning disruptions, underscoring concerns that deferred repairs could further increase costs and interfere with student attendance, health, and academic performance.
